1934 Riley 9hp 'Ulster-Imp Style' Special

Registration No: BKE 213
Chassis No: 6025879
MOT: Exempt

• Rebodied as a handsome 'Ulster-Imp' style special in the 2010s
• VSCC Eligible
• Overhauled and uprated mechanical components for a competitive Hillclimb / Sprint car
• Huge history file detailing all build bills & continuation buff logbook on file

It is no exaggeration to say that the appearance of the 1100cc 9hp Riley at the Olympia Show October 1926 revolutionised concepts of light car design - its lower build, outstanding handling and good brakes, the products of careful detail design, were matched by the strong, light and advanced engine, which developed remarkable power for its modest size, and began a chain of development that continued until well after WWII and also spawned the E.R.A. racing voiturettes, the most successful British racing cars of their time. Breathing efficiently through hemispherical combustion chambers and 45-degree overhead valves opened by short pushrods from twin high-set camshafts, the unit simply wanted to rev, and permitted a lowish rear axle ratio that in turn gave good acceleration. The 4-speed gearbox was a joy to use. Apart from a handful of obscure, low-volume specialised sports cars, no other light car produced in similar quantities offered anything comparable.

Built in 1934 as a Riley 9hp Lynx, 'BKE 213' was first registered on the 4th of May 1934. Little is known of the car's history until 1953, when the buff logbook on file states a Mr Marfit of Otley, Yorkshire owning the car. The Riley was owned by two further custodians until 1962, when a Mr Colclough purchased the car having wanted to attend events run by the now budding VSCC which was very much in vogue during the 1960s. In a poor state of repair, the body was removed and scrapped and the chassis and engine were kept for a rainy day with Mr Colclough envisioning a full-blown "Ulster-Imp" style special body being built upon the bones at some point in the future. Unfortunately, Mr Colclough never achieved his dream due to terminal illness, however, he was able to pass his vision on to the now owner in 2009 before he passed away. Some five years later, the current owner set about fully overhauling the mechanical components and chassis and commissioned a bespoke body from Brooklands Bodycraft to suit the car and match the sketches of what Mr Colclough has envisioned. The vendor's intention was to create a competitive hillclimb car which was VSCC eligible, so the engine was highly uprated with upgraded pistons, crankshaft and camshaft mated to a fully overhauled gearbox. The owner, who is a skilled engineer is his own right, assembled the components of the car in his extensive workshop over the course of the next few years. What emerged was this stunning looking boat-tailed special that is reminiscent of all the great pre-war racing Rileys that are oh-so desirable today.

In 2019, the car was entered into the VSCC hillclimb at Prescott and in 2022 at Curborough where the vendor found it very competitive. However, a number of other vehicles have taken the interest of the vendor who explained that he is 'more of a tinkerer than a driver' and wishes to fund other projects, so this great Riley has been made available for sale.

Now offered in what the vendor describes as an 'excellent' all-around condition, this a fantastic opportunity for any budding pre-war speed freak to get into racing Rileys without the outlay of the genuine 'Brooklands' or 'Ulster-Imp' period cars.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430